Hario Switch
Systemic I don’t particularly like Ethiopians, I don’t why I keep buying them (optimistically reeled in by blurb again), or why Ethiopia is so massively over represented in roaster’s portfolios. That coffee also scored a 6 in a V60 drip brew at a % less EY.
EY is a measure of efficiency, not preference. In this case the take away is that the method averages out as meeting expectation, compared to my brews in general, Some coffees may not be as much to my liking, but that’s to be expected.
Besides V60, I have been brewing using Clever and Hario Switch for short steps - powder in, all water under 30s, stir at 4:00 and draw down on a pre-heated cup at 5:00.
Between Clever and Hario Switch, I do not know why the switch consistently gives a better tasting cup than the Clever. This is across a few bags I have brewed so far.
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Considering the Kenyan Washed Karimikui AB from @LeefromFoundryCR gave a cup at 12% 400 Kruve, which was more like brewing at 9% 400 Kruve, I sifted this coffee a few times at 12% 400 Kruve at the default #17 mark on the Duo. The fines under 400 Kruve was more like 10.25% 400 Kruve.
This morning, I brewed the same coffee side by side on V60 and Hario Switch at 75g/L. I saw a marked improvement in flavour and taste leaving plenty of sugary after taste for a while. I would score this 8/9 at this ratio.
Tried slightly different recipe earlier. 30grms coarsely ground to 500grms water. Bloomed 100grms for 45secs and let it draw down. Then added further 150grms and steeped for 45secs before letting it draw down, then the final 250grms water left for further 45secs before draw down. Total time was around 4mins 30secs. Impact in the cup was pronounced. Like drinking a different coffee.
Unlike the usual 5 mins steep, stir and drain on a pre-heated cup at 6 mins, I tried an alternative this afternoon.
Brewed 15g of Crankhouse Brazil Fazenda Recanto pouring 50% water (112g), let it sit and drain at 1:00 min mark.
I then poured the rest of the water in another 10s to steep until 2:00 mins, gently stirred to drain at 2:30 mins. The total time was 4:10s.
The coffee was great as usual with the floral was more prominent this time.
With straight pour over, it’s pure percolation. With the Switch you can combine elements of percolation as well to tweak how much body/mountfeel you want.
MWJB 12% 400 Kruve. The week end brews are typically 2 cups at a time. The Switch is very handy for this and I normally pour all the water quickly, let it steep for 5 mins to stir and pour at 6! The cup is pretty good.
I have been experimenting a bit to see how the cups are at varying intervals. As 30g coffee is too much for me, I am just playing with a single cup. Hahah. However, I mostly brew on V60 for a single.
Hey Mark how’s the switch I’m thinking of getting one.
Jony Less faff than the Clever, you can just steep for 5:00 with a light stir at the surface at 4:00, then draw down. Medium grind 11%400 Kruve, 16%500 Kruve, about 75 (LH edge of LH lid hinge) on a Niche Zero.
The 02 only holds a mug’s worth in one go.
Plus it can be used as a regular V60 too, I haven’t taken it off the brew stand for the last month, other than when I needed to brew 2 cups at once (only have 1x Switch), but @Systemic has been making 2 cup, pulsed brews with his.
Jony Hey Mark how’s the switch I’m thinking of getting one.
If you’re into pour over, it’s a no brainer. You can use it as a V60 - pure percolation or play around with immersion by closing the valve and letting the coffee steep for as long as you want. I got the small one as a present which is good for one cup and was sufficiently impressed to get its big brother as I usually brew two cups. At around £40 its not too expensive unlike the Nextlevel Pulsar which is double the price.
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One possible glitch to be aware of - I inverted my switch whilst cleaning it yesterday, today flipped up the switch, to stop flow, whilst preheating and the water just passed straight through. It seems the bearing can lodge itself in the base of the cone,
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MWJB It seems the bearing can lodge itself in the base of the cone,
It does. It happens to me and this entire part doesn’t give me durability confidence.
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The switch does dislodge more often than the bearings. This switch is not stable IMO and one needs to be very careful while opening and closing.
I managed to dislodge the plastic lever which is pretty delicate. Getting it to go back had me worried it would snap if I applied too much pressure. Thankfully, it didn’t.
Looks like will need a Kruve soon, not sure why it’s taken so long, probably going to have to get the 3 cup as well 😂
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LMSC To MWJB, “do you pick a difference in taste or yield between Switch as a pour over versus V60 ?”
5 pairs of cups down, so far preferring the Switch, average EY is half a % higher than V60 02, average time is 1 second different, but consistency seems a little better with the Switch & subjective flavour preference too - V60 6.8/9.0, Switch 7.4/9.0.
Brew procedure - Preheat glass V60 02 & Switch with water right off boil in a Pyrex jug, shake out water and place on brew stand, add 13.8 coffee (same grinds for both), Drip Assist 5×40g brew water every 40s, 2 pours centre, 3 outer ring.
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Have you tried a Kalita Wave and/or Origami?
I was about to order a new V60 as it’s all I’ve used for 20 years but wondered how other manual pourover brewers compare.
La Marzocco Linea Mini - Mazzer Philos
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HarveyMushman I have a steel Kalita Wave 185, it’s fine, doesn’t do anything you can’t achieve with a V60. You need to adjust the pour regime to normalise extraction and be conscious of not kicking up the shallow bed to much (V60/Switch deeper bed needs more agitation in the early stages of the brew).
One reason I tend to use the Kalita Wave less is because the supply of papers can be more sporadic (I use both 155&185 white papers), also storage of basket shaped papers is less convenient than filters that store flat.
Never used an Origami.